2024 Dynasty Rookie Profile: Marvin Harrison Jr., WR

The 2024 wide receiver class is arguably the deepest we have ever seen. Among the stellar prospects in this class, Ohio State’s Marvin Harrison Jr. is the consensus number-one wide receiver. That is saying a lot about the former Buckeye considering there are also two other wide receivers that are worthy of being a top-ten pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. Is Marvin Harrison Jr. the best receiver prospect since Calvin Johnson? Let us take a look.

Marvin Harrison Jr. (WR)  Ohio State – Dynasty Rookie Profile

Surprisingly, Harrison Jr. was only a four-star recruit out of high school. He would go on to win three straight Pennsylvania state championships with the same quarterback that would follow him to Ohio State, Kyle McCord. Additionally, he is the son of NFL Hall of Fame receiver Marvin Harrison Sr., and the pedigree shows.

Harrison Jr. would start his college career buried on the depth chart. The list of first-round talent ahead of him included Garrett Wilson, Chris Olave, and Jaxon Smith-Njigba. He would have minimal impact during the regular season. However, he would get his first start in the 2022 Rose Bowl where he caught six passes for 71 yards and three touchdowns.

After the wide receiver room had cleared, Harrison Jr. would quickly become the favorite target of future NFL Rookie of the Year C.J. Stroud. The true sophomore would go on to amass 77 catches for 1,263 yards and 14 touchdowns. Ohio State would face Georgia in the National Championship. Unfortunately, due to a concussion suffered in the third quarter, Harrison Jr. was not able to finish the game. Up to that point he had caught five passes for 106 yards and two touchdowns. Ultimately the Buckeyes lost to Georgia 42-41, ending the Buckeye’s season.

Expectations were high going into 2023. With Wilson and Olave now in the NFL, this was Harrison’s time to shine. He would finish the year with 67 catches for 1,211 yards and 14 touchdowns. Additionally, he would win the Biletnikoff Award as the nation’s top receiver beating out LSU receiver Malik Nabers. After the season everyone was waiting to hear if he would declare for the draft or go back to Ohio State. Despite rumors of a NIL deal worth first-round money, he decided to declare for the 2024 NFL Draft.

Height: 6’4

Weight: 205 lbs

NFL Comp: Larry Fitzgerald

Strengths

Athleticism

Marvin Harrison Jr. made Bruce Feldman’s Freaks List for a reason. He has the ideal size for the position. Additionally, he is very strong for a receiver as he can bench press over 380 lbs and squat 500 lbs. He is also very explosive as indicated by a 10’8” broad jump. Furthermore, he was clocked at over 23 miles per hour and is rumored to run the forty-yard dash in the high 4.3 range. Having that type of athleticism in a 6’4” frame is rare to see.

Receiving Skill-set

Outside of being an absolute freak athlete, Marvin Harrison Jr. also possesses an elite skill set at the position. His route running is fantastic as he showcases his quick twitch and ability to get in and out of breaks. He accelerates quickly off the line. Additionally, his route running, ball tracking, and leaping ability are all elite. Despite being 6’4” he shows off his fantastic run after the catch routinely. There isn’t a single skill this guy isn’t at minimum very very good at.

Weaknesses

Expectations

I know this isn’t a traditional weakness, but this guy is extremely polished and any sort of actual weakness is going to be me nitpicking. However, I think the biggest hurdle for this guy is the expectation to be great. He is arguably the greatest receiver in Ohio State history, which is saying a lot. Additionally, being the son of a Hall of Fame receiver, having the same name as him, and playing the same position has to put insane expectations on this guy.

Route Running vs. Contact

This is more a nitpick than a real weakness. However, there are times when Harrison Jr. shows inconsistency in fighting through contact during his routes. He is prone to being bullied on his routes due to his slender frame and his upright running style. However, this can improve with him filling out his frame a little more. Ideally, I would like to see him in the 215-220 lb range for how tall he is.

NFL Fit and Draft Capital

Marvin Harrison Jr. is quite possibly the best player in the NFL Draft regardless of position. He projects as a true X receiver but can play anywhere on the line. Again, being the best prospect at his position since 2007 means he is a rare talent any team would die to have. He currently is being mocked inside the top 4. Do not be surprised if he ends up going first overall. Overall, I think going number four to the Cardinals is his absolute floor.

Dynasty Outlook

The former Buckeye can currently be safely viewed as the dynasty WR4 or WR5 already before he even plays a down. He projects to be a top-five dynasty wide receiver for years to come. His talent level is that of Justin Jefferson and Ja’Marr Chase and should be valued as such.

Furthermore, Harrison Jr. is certainly worthy of the 1.01 in any dynasty rookie draft format. However, in a 1QB league, he should be hands down the unanimous first pick in rookie drafts. In Superflex leagues, he will likely go first or second overall.

In Superflex dynasty start-up drafts he should be looked at around the early part of round two. He should still be drafted after Justin Jefferson, Ja’Marr Chase, and CeeDee Lamb. In single quarterback start-up drafts he should be taken no sooner than the fourth overall pick behind the three previously mentioned receivers.